Apr 19 - Joint Base San Antonio

PAGE 4 TALESPINNER April 19, 2013
Early preparation paves way for smooth PCS
By Alex Salinas
JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs
With military members expected
to permanently change stations most
often from May to August, they are
encouraged to think early about
moving, one step at a time.
“The first thing is to be really flexible
with your schedule,” said Staff
Sgt. Ryan Kerkove, 802nd Logistics
Readiness Squadron Personal Property
Processing Office assistant NCO
in charge. “During peak PCS season
especially, give yourself time for all
appointments.”
As soon as members get their orders,
the Department of Defense’s
Defense Personal Property System
portal website at http://www.Move.
mil is a good first stop.
“Members set up their own applications
for self-counseling that
generate important paperwork to
take to PPPOs,” said Senior Airman
Raymond Hogan, 802nd LRS transportation
assistant.
Online self-counseling informs
members about monetary allowances
to help them decide if they want a
government-assisted general household
goods shipment or if they want
to move themselves, formally called
a personally procured move.
The website also gives members
the option to file and settle a claim
directly with transportation service
providers, which are moving companies
that are listed.
A permanent change of station
stateside or overseas may determine
what baggage items to take,
what items to place in a household
goods shipment and what items to
store away.
“DPS is a great resource, even
before you get orders,” said Tech.
Sgt. Stacy Parker, 802nd LRS PPPO
NCO in charge. “I recommend looking
at (http://www.)Move.mil before
visiting our offices.”
Parker said an online session with
the DPS portal website is a “proactive
approach” that can help other
people moving gather questions to
ask before the big move.
Along with having a flexible
schedule, members should also give
themselves at least three weeks
to fill out their online moving application,
schedule any necessary
appointments and work on their
separate Military Personnel Flight
out-processing checklist among other
things, Kerkove said.
Kerkove added that people need
to set aside time to clean up by getting
rid of unwanted items, holding a
yard sale or donating items to charity.
Members should contact PPPO
staff immediately when they receive
their orders, Hogan said.
For more information, call JBSA-
Randolph at 652-1848 or 1849; JB-
SA-Lackland at 671-2821 or 2823
and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 221-
2812 or 1605.
U.S. Army photo
As soon as members get their orders, the Department
of Defense’s Defense Personal Property
System portal website at http://www.Move.
mil is a good first stop.